Growing anger over plans to move Post Office

Hannah Ramsden

Residents and Burnley’s MP have hit out at plans to move Pike Hill Post Office into a convenience shop on the Brunshaw estate over access and safety fears.

A six-week consultation period has been launched for customers to have their say on proposals to re-locate the post office from Brownside Road to the Bottle Stop, in Brunshaw Avenue, from next spring.

It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard

Diana Hudson

In a consultation document, the Post Office said the new counter would be open for longer and would offer the same products and services.

But residents living in Cliviger and Worsthorne said elderly and vulnerable people will struggle to travel the extra distance and some will be forced to catch two buses to get to the new location. Some elderly people said they would not feel safe collecting their pensions from Brunshaw Avenue which, they claim, is frequented by groups of youths.

Cliviger Parish Council has also sent a letter raising concerns over the plans.

Cliviger residents have expressed a wish for the post office to be re-sited inside the Spar shop in Brownside Road and Burnley MP Julie Cooper is urging the Post Office to consider all options before a decision is made.

Mrs Cynthia Taylor (78), who lives in Richmond Avenue, Cliviger, said she would have to get two buses or catch one bus then walk a large distance to get to the proposed site.

“Cliviger village hasn’t been mentioned in all this really.

“It will affect us because we haven’t had a post office in Cliviger for several years now. For people who live at my end of Cliviger, Walk Mill and Pike Hill it’s going to be very very difficult on public transport.

“It would be more convenient for people in Cliviger to catch a bus to Cornholme, near Todmorden, go to the post office there and get back on the bus.”

Diana Hudson (67), who is disabled and lives at Pike Hill, said: “It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I defy anybody to get up and down Brunshaw Avenue in a mobility scooter.

“One of the reasons I moved to this area was because of the lovely cluster of shops and the post office, everything you could want.

The Spar shop in Brownside Road has lots of space for a post office. That would be a much better option for the post office.”

MP Julie Cooper said: “I will be supporting the residents of Cliviger, Worsthorne and Pike Hill by opposing this proposed move. Many constituents have contacted me to express their concern about the need for a two-bus journey to access the proposed new post office site on Brunshaw Avenue pointing out that there is often a long wait between buses.

“I am not convinced that all more suitable options within Pike Hill have been thoroughly explored and I will be feeding my concerns and those of residents who wish to contact me, into the consultation.”

The changes, which will also see Rosehill Post Office close and move to Premier Top Shop in Cog Lane, are part of a major programme of modernisation.

The move will see up to 8,000 branches modernised and additional investment in 3,000 community and outreach branches.

A Post Office spokesman said: “The public consultation ends on January 25th and we will consider all feedback received. We would then expect to reach a decision within four weeks. When a decision is made we will inform customers and local representatives, and issue a press release announcing any change.”

To have your say call 03457223344 or pick up a leaflet from Pike Hill Post Office.